Locking device for interlocking switch stands



-- Sept. 22, 1925.

F. C. ANDERSON LOCKING DEVICE FOR INTERLQCKING SWIVTGH s'rmns Ink/ 92,60

Filed Sept. 22'. 1924 Attorney.

Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFF-ICE,

FRANK-C. ANDERSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, TC) THE AMERICAN VALVE AND METER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATLOHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LOCKING DEVICE Fen rn'rsanocxrne swr'ron s'rliivns;

Application filed September 22, 1924. Serial No. 739,113.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDER- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Interlocking Switch, Stands,

switch-throwing lever and for releasing the latch upon manual release of the interlocking mechanism, but differs therefrom in that the prior device is automatically engaged upon complete closure of the switch, whereas my present invention involves the automatic disengagement of the interlock ing mechanismand of the latch, upon removal of a look from the interlocking mechanism, which must be engaged manually be fore the lock can be replaced, this reengagement also resulting inclosure of the latch, which is not adapted to latch the switch-throwing lever some respects, my present invention resembles that disclosed andclaimed in my pending application Serial No. 737,149, filed September 11,1924, in that opening the interlocking device also opens the latch.

The object of my present invention is to afford a positively locked interlocking device, which will be kept locked even upon carrying away of the switch-stand proper, as by being struck by an object projecting from a passing train, .or by an object thrown by the train against the stand, as a vehicle. This object it has in common with the invention of my copending application mentioned, as well as with the invention applied to a difierent type of switch-stand, as disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 21,057, filed Aprilfi, 1925. In the present invention, however, the latch of the switch-throwing lever is positively locked along with the interlocking device, but readily disrupted therefrom in case of an accident such as mentioned; the object being to lock both the switch-stand proper, of the ground throw type, and the ,inter-, locking device therefor, by a manually applied lock on the interlocking mechanism,

automatically. In

and by, means of the interlocking mechanlsm, to compel the switchman to see that the point-rail is safe against the stock rail of the switch, before he can apply the lock.

Other obj cts will appear in the course of the ensuing description. i

I attain these objects by the device illustrated, for example, in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a general perspective view of part of a switch and a switch-stand connected thereto, embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial plan View, enlarged, of the interlocking mechanism including my improved locking device; j

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same; and Fig.4 is an end elevation of the same, the latch also being shown in itsoperative relation to the interlocking mechanism.

The switch stand l'has the upright target shaft 2 with hearings in the casing 3, which, as is well known in the art, contains gearing or the like which causes the target shaft to be partially rotated by throwing the switch-throwing lever 4 in a vertical plane parallel with the track; the lower end of the shaft 2 having a crank connected to the point rails, one of which rails5 is shown,

by the connecting rod 6 and the bar 7, understood to extend across to the other rail, not shown.

At either end of its throw the lever 4 is received in a respective latch 8 which comprises a member 9 swinging on a pivot 10 to engage its nose 11 over the lever 4. The bottom of the member 9 has an extension 12 over toward the interlocking mechanism; the end of this extension having a cylindrical shape. In my present invention, I prefer to make the top 13 of the latch member 9 flat, instead of slanting to admit the lever 4 to push the member 9 aside for automatic entrance to the latch, as in the usual construction ofthis latch. This is because, the latch being positively engaged with the interlocking mechanismfor operation: in both directions, and notmerely in opening direction as in my last previously filed application above mentioned, the latch is held open by the mechanism and the latter cannot close and close the latch until the lever 4 is in the latch. I y

The interlocking housing 14 is set into a gain in one of the head blocks that support the stand, with a stirrup 15 projecting outside "the head block and having sliding through it the interlocking bar 16 with an opening through which the plunger 17, sliding in the stirrup 15, is adapted to extend, as shown, when the opening of the bar 16 registers with the openings in the stirrup 16 that guide the plunger. This interlocking bar 16 extends under the stock rail and has its end connected to a deflecting plate 18 bolted to'the end of the point rail 5,so that there cannot beregistry of the openings to admit the-plunger17 unless the point rail is in safe proximity to the stock rail. As shown in my above mentioned patent, the plunger enters the openings under 7 pressure of a spring in thehousing. In my present invention, such a=spring is omitted.

The interlocking lever 19 comprises the fulcrum journals 20 in the sides of the housing next to the top thereof, the depending arm 19 engaged with the plunger 17, and the upper arm 21 which is contained in a hood 22 formed on the cover ofthe housing with a slot 23 through which the end of the upper arm 21 may project its ear 24 when the lever swings in the direction for entrance of the plunger 17 into the opening of the bar 16'. Thus projecting, the bow of a padlock 125. (Fig. 1) inserted through the ear 24 will prevent return ofthe lever, and' will hold the plunger 17 in theopening of the bar.

Outside the housing, at its sides, where the fulcrum journals 20' project out, these journals have, unitary with the lever 19, the arms 26 extending toward the end of the housing next to the bar 16 and becoming much widerin' their extension away from the journals. Each. arm 26 has a slot, 27 opening out of its lower edge downwardly and forwardly; these slotsterminating inwardly only a short distance from the respective journals 20. Near the upper corners of the arms 26, which are slightly above the top of the housing 14'when the device is locked, are handles 28 of cylindrical'shape,

projecting horizontally out from the outer sides of the arms 26. These arms 26 and their handles 28 are made heavy so as to act by gravity to withdraw the plunger 17 from the bar 16 whenever the lock'25 is not in the car 24; and. the switchman grasps one of the handles 28 with one hand, raising the arm 26 and returning the plunger-17 into the bar opening, while inserting the lock 25 into the ear 24 withthe other hand asthis ear 24 emerges through the slot 23 incident to this operation.

The extension 12' of, the latch member 9 is received in the slot27 of the arm 26 adjacent to thelatch; the parts being so proportioned and positioned that -upswinging of the arm 26 to close the interlocking' device swings the extension 12 up and closes the latch by bringing the nose 11 over the lever 4, and down swinging of the arm- 26 depresses this extension 12, withdrawing the nose 11 so that the lever 4 can be raised to throw the switch. In this action, the arm slot 27 receives the extension 12 progressively nearer its open end, and, as seen in Fig. 4, the sides ofthe slot 27 are slanted properly to make correct bearing engagement with the extension as the angle of the latter varies relatively to the arm 26.

Arms 26 are provided at both sides of the housing so that the same interlocking mechanism may be used with a latch 8 placed at one side or the other of the mechanism, as is incident to use of the stand at either the right or left side of the track, or for either left-hand. or right-hand turnouts. Also, by having such levers 27 with their handles 28 at both sides, the switchman may use either, so that more convenience is aiiorded; and the'extra lever adds its weight to the operation of withdrawing the plunger automatically as before described. The latch member 9 also, by being weightedover toward the interlocking device, adds some weight to afford this automatic opening.

It willbe seen that, as the plunger openings must register to admit the plunger, and the plunger must be admitted before the lock-receiving ear 24 can emerge from the hood 22 or the latch nose 11 can swing over the switch-throwing lever 4, the insertion of the lock is dependent upon the proper relation of the switch rails. Should these have any obstruction between them, preventing their safe approach, the switchman will be prevented from looking the switch. At the same time, as the latch cannot close until the interlocking device does, there is no need of any automatic reception of the lever 4 by the latch. As the extension 12 merely engages in the slot 27 of the interlocking device, and there is no positive fastening of the latch to the interlocking device, disruption of the switch-stand, including the latch, does not disrupt the interlocking device; the extension 12 being withdrawn from the slot 27 in the disruption, leaving the interlocking mechanism safely embedded in the head block, with its plunger in the interlocking bar, holding the switch safely closed pending repair of the switch-stand. In prior devices having the manual lock on the latch, the interlocking device is left unlocked, even though the plunger remains in the bar as above noted. By having the manual locking device on the interlocking mechanism, the latter is locked directly, independently of the locking of the switchstand proper, sot'hat with the latter torn away in an accident such as was mentioned, the switch remains manually locked, and.cannot be tampered withpending repairs. Although locking of the interlocking device is independent of the switch-stand proper,

Patent is:

the latter is lock-ed incident to the manual locking of the interlocking mechanism, by the positive engagement of the extension 12 in the slot 27 of the lever arm 26. In this respect, my present invention more nearly resembles that of my application filed August 15, 1924, before mentioned, than that of my later filed application before mentioned, in which automatic reception of the switchthrowing lever involves leaving the switchstand proper unlocked, and merely latched, although the interlocking device is manually locked and thus safe in case of accident to the stand proper, the same as in my present invention.

As the lever arms 26 project slightly above the housing when the deviceis closed, I prefer to provide raised guards 29 on the housing top, next to the respective arms 26, so that objects dropped will not strike the arms 26 and thus tend to break these'arms or force the mechanism open. However, different proportioning ot' the parts may obviate such provisions. Other modifications may occur, in conjunction with modified switch-throwin or interlocking mechanism,

or with that herein exemplified; and I do not wish to be understood as being limited to the precise disclosure herein, but having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 1. In combination with a switch-throwing element and alatch for said element, interlocking mechanism, manipulating means for concurrently engaging saidlatch and said mechanism, and locking means for locking said manipulating means.

2. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism, manipulating means for concurrently engaging said latch and said mechanism, locking means for said manipulating means, and means automatically disengaging said mechanism and said latch upon unlocking of said locking means.

3. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism having an operative engagement with said latch to open and close said latch, and means for manually locking said interlocking mechanism.

4. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element having an extension depressible for opening the latch, interlocking mechanism having an automatic opening movement during which it has depressing engagement with said extension, and means for manually locking said mechanism.

5. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said elementhaving an extension depressible for opening the latch, interlocking mechanism having depressing engagement with said extension, a

weighted handle for operating said mechanismand means for locking said handle.

6. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism comprising a housing with an upstanding hood, a lever swinging on said housing and having an operative relation to said latch, and having an arm within said hood with an ear projecting from said hood to receive a lock when the interlocking mechanism is interlockingly engaged. i

7. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism comprising a housing with an upstanding hood, a lever swing ing on said housing and having an operative relation to said latch, and having an arm within said hood with an ear project ing from said hood to receive a look when the interlocking mechanism is interlockingly engaged, said lever being adapted to withdraw its ear into said hood out of receptive relation to the lock and to disengage said mechanism and said latch automatically when the lock is removed from the ear.

8. In combination with a switch-throw-- ing element and a latch for said element having an extension, interlocking mechanism comprising a housing and having an arm swinging at one'side of said housing with aslot receiving said latch extension, and means on said housing for locking said arm.

9. In combination with a switch-throw ingelement and a latch for said element having an extension, interlocking mechanism comprising a housing and having an arm swinging at one side of said housing with a slot receiving said latch extension, said arm being weighted to open said mechanism automatically, and means for locking said mechanism in closed condition.

10. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element having an extension, interlocking mechanism comprising a housing and having slotted arms swinging at opposite sides oi said housing, one or the other arm being adapted to receive said latch extension in its slot accordingly as said latch is at one or the other side'ot said housing, and means for locking. said arms.

11. In combination with a switch-throw ing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism having an arm in operative relation to said latch and having a handle, and means for looking said arm.

12. In combination with a switch-throwing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism having an arm in operative relation to said latch, weighted to open said mechanism and said'latch automatically, and means for locking said arm to hold the mechanism and the latch closed.

13. In combination with a switch-throw ing element and a latch for said element,.interlocking mechanism havingan arm in operative relation to said latch, weighted to open said mechanism and said latch automatically and having a handle for manually closing said mechanism and said latch, and means for locking said arm to hold said mechanism and said latch closed.

14. In combination with a. switch-throwing element and a latch for said element having an extension, interlocking mechanism having an arm with a slot receiving said extension to open or close thelatch, said arm being weighted to open the latch and the mechanism automatically, and means for locking said arm to hold the latch and the mechanism closed.

15. In combination with a switch-throw.- ing element and a latch for said element, interlocking mechanism having an arm swinging to operate the latch, an arm swinging to operate the mechanism, and an arm swinging to receive a lock for locking the mecha nism and the latch, said arms'being unitary.

16. An interlocking mechanism comprising an interlocking plunger, means acting automatically to disengage said plunger, and means for manually locking said plunger in interlocking engagement.

17. An interlocking mechanism compris ing a housing having a slotted hood, a lever swinging in said housing, having an upper arm in said hood with an ear to project through the slot ofthe hood, and having a depending arm in said housing, and having a manipulating arm outside said housing, and a plunger in said housing interlockingly engaged by action of said: depending arm when said ear projects through said slot.

18. An interlocking mechanism comprising a housing having a slotted hood, a lever swinging in said housing, having an upper arm in said hood with an ear to project through the slot of said hood, and having a depending arm in said housing and a manipulating arm outside said housing, and a plunger in said housing interlockingly engaged by action of said depending arm when said' ear projects through said slot, said manipulating arm being weighted to cause disengagement of said plunger and withdrawal of said ear into said hood.

19. An interlocking mechanism comprising a housing having a slotted hood, a lever swinging in said housing, having an upper arm in said hood with an ear to project through the slot of the hood, and having 21 depending arm in said housing and a manipulating arm outside said housing, and a plunger in said housing interlockingly engaged by action of said deepnding arm when said ear projects through said slot, said manipulating arm being slotted to receive part of a switch latch whereby the latch may be operated concurrently with the operation of said plunger.

20. An interlocking mechanism comprising a housing, operating means for said mechanism comprising an arm swinging outside said housing, one end of said arm rising above the top of the housing when the mechanism is closed, and an upstanding guard on the top of'said housing adjacent to said arm where it rises above the housing.

I FRANK O. ANDERSON. 

